Container for transportation of liquids



Nov. 5, 1963 J. A. MORALES CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUIDS Filed Jan. 5. 1961 F T Ni I I l a i i H94 z) g4 a2 0 /2 7a 90 Juan Alberta Mora/es INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,109,563 CONTAINER FOR TRANSPGRTATION (NF LIQUIDS Juan Alberto Morales, R0. Box 6884, Panama, Panama Filed Jan. 5, i961, Ser. No. 80,801 3 Claims. (ill. 222-492) This invention relates, generally speaking, to a portable container for temporarily storing, handling and transporting a liquid commodity and has reference, more particularly speaking, to a handle-equipped gasoline container or can resembling a type now commonly used for emergency use with a reserve supply of gasoline, for example, a can which is expressly constructed and effectively adapted to better serve the needs of the motorits who subscribes to the seeming desirable use of a can for extra gasoline.

Despite care and caution which the advocate of an extra gasoline can may exercise, he may nevertheless have to reckon with the occasion when he is out of gas in the cars tank as well as the can which he inadvertently forgot to fill. In fact, the occasion may be such that the may be called upon to enlist the aid of a passer-by and have to borrow a limited amount.

Under the circumstances related above an empty gas can as ordinarily constructed and used would offer little or no aid. Therefore, a siphoning hose, if on hand, would have to be employed to transfer gasoline from the tank of the passer-by into the stated can or another container. Considering the fact that the siphoning hose, as is usually the case, is unclean and, in addition having to resort to starting the siphoning action in a manner requiring the hose-users mouth, it is obvious that the problem visualized calls for a simple, practical and economical solution.

Without attempting to dwell on the problem it should now be self-evident that an objective in the instant presen- I tation is to offer ways and means through the medium of which a satisfactory solution of the problem may be effected. To this end, a novel automotive accessory or device is offered.

As herein revealed the device has to do with a can-type gasoline container or simply a gas can of unique construction and which, as will be evident, is an innovation in this field of endeavor. This is to say that, with the improved can and its added facilities, the user may rely upon it to hold, carry and transport a limited amount of gasoline. Means is provided thereon which makes for the use of a suitable storable hose and which hose, when attached, may be used for siphoning gasoline from a main supply tank into the can, with the can at a level below that of the tank and which when the can is raised to a level above the tank, and assuming the can has gas therein, can transfer from the canto the tank. Equally if not more important the top of the can is provided with a simple and expedient suction pump which when properly functioning creates a vacuum in the container space of the can so that the desired siphoning and can-filling result may be attained.

Briefly summarized, a fiat bottomed self-standing can of limited capacity having a suitable carrying handle is provided. At one end a screw-threaded filler neck is mounted in the top wall of the can. This neck may accommodate a screw-type closing cap or, alternatively, a readily attachable and detachable adapter having a screw cap and also provided with a centrally attached open-ended tube, the upper projecting end of which is adapted to accommodate an attachable end of the how The hose when not in use is bracketed and stored in an out-o-f-the-way position on one side of the can. When it is in use it is removed and an end attached to the adapter so that the hose is then ready to either empty gasoline from the can, if the can is filled, or to siphon gasoline into the can when the can is empty. At the other end of the top wall a second neck is provided and this neck is adapted to accommodate one of two or more different types of rubber bulbiform hand-operated pumps.

More particularly one pump comprises a unique adaptation having at least one concave-convex diaphragm which is normally convexed and which is centrally provided with a nipple-like stem or finger grip, more specifically a venting nipple as well as a manually grippable pull. In another form, instead of the single concave-convex diaphragm, a double-type arrangement is utilized with the component parts defining a normally collapsed but ready-to-use suction pump.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the a coo-mpanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a liquid containing and transporting container which is specifically referred to as a flat bottomed can and which is assumed to be empty and ready to have gasoline siphoned therein from a gasoline tank (not shown), when the can is properly rigged for that purpose.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and withan end portion of the siphoning hose attached to the adapter.

FIG. 3 is a group view showing a modified'fiat or ribbon-type hose with the upper hose inflated and the lower one collapsed as is normally the case.

FIG. 4 is a section on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view on the vertical line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the dual diaphragm bulbiform pump attached and in normal form, in full lines, and extended suction producing form in phantom lines.

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. With this in mind the container, more specifically a gasoline can, is denoted generally by the numeral 8. While this can may be of suitable material and capacity and may obviously vary in shape it is shown as of generally rectangular form and embodies a bottom wall 19 (not detailed) flat top wall 12, flat transverse end Walls 14 and flat front and back walls 16 and 18 respectively. The front and back walls may also be referred to as side walls. At the center of the top wall is an appropriate balanced handle or hand-grip 26. At the right is a screw-threaded filler neck 22. In practice this neck is closed by a conventional imperforate screw cap (not detailed). Alternatively the readily applicable and removable adapter 24' will be utilized. This adapter comprises a screw cap having a screw threaded rim 26 screwed on the neck and a top 28 which is centrally apertured to accommodate an open ended integrally attached tube or sleeve 34-. The upper projecting end portion of this sleeve functions as a nipple 32 to which an end portion 34 of the siphoning hose 36 may he detachably connected as shown. The depending end portion 38 is of sufiicient length that it depends into the container space or compartment 40 of the can or container 8. This construction facilitates the intake or siphoning of gasoline from an automobile supply tank (not shown) to the can or container 8.

Reverting to the hose 36, this may be of appropriate length and cross-section and it is here shown as conveniently available. To this end, the hose is reeled or stored on the front wall 16 at the center thereof by way of a simple reeling and retaining bracket 42. This bracket is formed from a strip of metal having a U-bend 44 at the center which is rigidly fixed in place and having 3 end portions or arms 45 witl bent hook-like terminal-s 4-8. This simple bracket permits the hose when not in use to be coiled and removably stored in the manner obviously depicted in FIG. 1. When the hose is to be brought into use it is suitably removed and the end portion 34 is attached to the adapter sleeve or tube 32 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. When the adapter 24 is not being used, the hose has been stored and assuming that the can is full of gasoline to be carried in ones car,

it is then desirable to replace the adapter 24 with an im-.

perforate screw cap, or to simply plug the end 32 with a stopper or the like (not shown). simple and expedient suction pump is attached to the top 12 preferably to the left of the handle 2%. The top at this end is r-ovided with a larger neck 51'? as shown in FIGURE 4 which serves to accommodate the single diaphragm simple-type bulbiform hand pump. As already stated this pump comprises the unit shown broadly at SZand which is made of rubber and has a concave-convex dia phragm 54 which is provided with an encircling attaching rim or ring 56 surrounding the neck d and held thereon by an appropriate split clamp 58. At the central concave side the diaphragm is provided with an upstanding tubular'or truncated concial finger-gripping member or pull which is denoted at 6% the upper truncated end at 62 which may be closed at will by placing a finger thereover; or, the member 60 may be simply gripped and squeezed with the fingers to effect a momentary closing action.

In use (assuming that the hose 36 is attached in the manner shown at '32 and 34 in FIG. 2) it will be evident that the can or container should preferably be placed fiat on the ground or other support surface below the level of the gasoline tank fnomwhich the gasoline is to be siphoned into the empty can. Placing the intake end of the hose in the source of supply, the gasoline tank, the user is now ready to create vacuum in the space and to start the suction producing the siphoning action. The natural or inherent properties of the rubber in the diaphragm'54 serve to keep it in the shape shown in FIG. 4 where-in it actually depends into the container space.

a By catching hold of the nipple-like member 6% and pulling upwardly and reversing or inverting the diaphragm to assume the dotted line position the pumping and siphoning action is initiated. One need but squeeze the nipple like member 60 to close it temporarily or the finger may be placed over the truncated end 62 to close it in a now generally well known manner.

Insofar as FIG. 3 is concerned its purpose is to show that instead of employing a common tubular hose 36 it is within the purview of the invention toemploy a a compact and convenient fiat ribbon-type hose which is denoted generally by the numeral 64. This hose comprises substantially flat mating walls 66 having marginal edges integrated as at 68. The median interior surfaces are 74 and the top wall of the container at .76, the same having a neck 78 to accommodate the dual diaphragm bulbiform or bulbous pump denoted generally at 80/ This pump is normally contracted but is capable of aseuming the expanded state seen in FIG. 6 to start the pumping action. The'bottom concave-convex diaphragm portion is denoted at 82, the opposed spaced parallel upper one at 84. The lower one is provided with an attaching neck 86 connectible with the neck '78. The

upper one is centrally provided with an upstanding truncated conical grip 88 whichfunctions in the manner referred to in connection with the already described cor- 4 respondingly performing member 69 (FIG. 4). These two components normally concaved diaphragms are joined by a body or rim portion dd.

The operation of thisslightly more powerful suction pump will be clear, it is believed, from the description already given.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable self-standing can constituting a container for a reserve supply of gasoline for emergency use, said can having a bottom wall, side walls and a top wall, said top Wall having a pump opening surrounded by an aligned upstanding pump attaching neck, and a siphoning pump comprising a single concave-convex rubber diaphragm having a marignal edge portion fitted around and attached to said neck, the concavo-convex body portion of said diaphragm extending through and being encompassed by said neck with its convex bottom side depending through said opening into the upper portion of the can, the concave side facing upwardly, the central portion of said concave side having a vertically. elongated upstanding truncated conical nipple-like fingergripping pull which, when in use, can be caught hold of by the users fingers, then squeezed in a manner to close the venting'bore therethrough and bodily lifted up with the fingers in a manner to evert said diaphragm, and then released to permit the diaphragm to automatically return to its normal starting pos tion within the confines of said neck and can, a hose for delivering gasoline into and filling. the can, said hose having the additional function of pouring gasoline from the can when the can is upended, said hose being of a length topermit the can to be placed on the. ground at a level below the level of a gasoline tank from which the gasoline'is being siphoned, means for operatively connecting the inner end of said hose with the aforementioned top wall, and means on said can for storing the hose when it is not being used.

2. A portable self-standing can usable as a container for a reserve supply of gasoline for emergency and other use comprising a can having a bottom wall, side walls and a top wall, an elongated flexible fully exposed hose for siphoning gasoline into, or alternatively, pouring gasoline from said can, means mounted exteriorly on one side wall of the can and adapted to permit the hose to be availably stored thereon when the hose is not being used,- -a constantly vented manually actuatable suction pump comprising a normally contracted but extensible and contIlC'tlblfi rubber bulb embodying opposed upper and lower normally concave diaphragm portions marginally joined to each other by a surrounding annular relatively rigid rim-like web, the lower diaphragm portion having a central depending neck communicatiuely connectedto an attaching and retaining neck provided therefor on said top wall, the upper diaphragm portion having a relatively long open-ended tubular upstanding nipple, said nipple being of a length greater than the depth of the concavity of said upper diaphragm portionand having its upper end projecting to a readily accessible position above the top of said concavity so that it can be caught hold of and squeezed by the users fingers to temporarily close the bore of said nipple, then bodily pulled upwardly'in a manner to simultaneously evert and consequently move said concave diaphragm portions away from each other,

then release same in a manner to permit said diaphragm portions to automatically return to their normal concaved positions adjacent to each other Within the encompassing confines of said rim-like web.

3. A multipurpose automotive gasoline storing, carry-- ing and transpontin g accessory comprising, in combination, a portable self-standing can constituting a container for a reserve supply of gasoline for emergency or other intended use, said can embodying a bottom Wall, side and end Walls and a top wall, said top wall being provided with an attached carrying handle, a hose for delivering gasoline into, or alternatively, pouring gasoline from said can, means on one wall of said can on which the hose is compactly and conveniently wound and consequently stored when the hose is not being used, a manually 'actuatable suction pump operatively mounted on the top Wall of said can and operatively communicable with the container space of said can, said top wall being provided with a gasoline filling and pouring neck, said neck being screwthreaded, an adapter embodying a screw-threaded cap removably screwed on said neck, said cap being provided with a fixed open-ended tube, a portion of said tube extending into the container space and a portion projecting 6 to an accessible position above the cap and permitting one end of the hose to be separably connected therewith, Said pump having a venting nipple and the latter being of a length that it may be caught hold of With the users fingers in a manner to operate the pump by lifting then releasing said nipple.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 578,025 Riegel et a1 Mar. (2, 1897 606,931 Lowe July 5, 1898 644,131 Ertsman Feb. 27, 1900 1,053,933 Stowe -n Feb. 18, 1913 2,684,674 Archer July 27, 1954 15 2,735,589 Milster et al. Feb. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 681,789 Great Britain Oct. 29, 1952 

2. A PORTABLE SELF-STANDING CAN USABLE AS A CONTAINER FOR A RESERVE SUPPLY OF GASOLINE FOR EMERGENCY AND OTHER USE COMPRISING A CAN HAVING A BOTTOM WALL, SIDE WALLS AND A TOP WALL, AN ELONGATED FLEXIBLE FULLY EXPOSED HOSE FOR SIPHONING GASOLINE INTO, OR ALTERNATIVELY, POURING GASOLINE FROM SAID CAN, MEANS MOUNTED EXTERIORLY ON ONE SIDE WALL OF THE CAN AND ADAPTED TO PERMIT THE HOSE TO BE AVAILABLY STORED THEREON WHEN THE HOSE IS NOT BEING USED, A CONSTANTLY VENTED MANUALLY ACTUATABLE SUCTION PUMP COMPRISING A NORMALLY CONTRACTED BUT EXTENSIBLE AND CONTRACTIBLE RUBBER BULB EMBODYING OPPOSED UPPER AND LOWER NORMALLY CONCAVE DIAPHRAGM PORTIONS MARGINALLY JOINED TO EACH OTHER BY A SURROUNDING ANNULAR RELATIVELY RIGID RIM-LIKE WEB, THE LOWER DIAPHRAGM PORTION HAVING A CENTRAL DEPENDING NECK COMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED TO AN ATTACHING AND RETAINING NECK PROVIDED THEREFOR ON SAID TOP WALL, THE UPPER DIAPHRAGM PORTION HAVING A RELATIVELY LONG OPEN-ENDED TUBULAR UPSTANDING NIPPLE, SAID NIPPLE BEING OF A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE DEPTH OF THE CONCAVITY OF SAID UPPER DIAPHRAGM PORTION AND HAVING ITS UPPER END PROJECTING TO A READILY ACCESSIBLE POSITION ABOVE THE 